Professional Documents
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Summerwine
CReek
O ver the Next Hill is a
EN World
ENEN5IDER:
World EN5IDER | The Hamlet
Over the Next Hill II of
| Summerwine
Varseldorf Creek
Overview Fey Prince Ildwych. This young fey prince
The people of Summerwine Creek used to be (noble) of the Summer Court sees the people of
hardworking country folk. The sweet summer Summerwine as overworked and in need of a long
wine that their village was named for was a treat season of revelry. He is genuinely trying to help
reserved for festivals and weddings. Thanks to the townsfolk, and is blissfully unaware that he is
Fey Prince Ildwych, it seems that every day since doing far more harm than good; his retainers do
midsummer’s eve has become a festival. No one not permit news of deaths or blight to reach his
in Summerwine seems to mind—life is one great royal ears. He lives within a tiny castle inside a
party now—but the human body was not meant for fairy ring in the town square (Area 3), allowing his
such revelry. Three weeks have passed and people subjects to spill unseen from the Feyrealm into the
are dying. Dancers have collapsed from exhaustion world of the “big folk.” His three closest retainers
and been trampled underfoot, others retch until are hard at work in the winery (Area 4), the apiary
their final breath, poisoned by overindulging in the (Area 6), and Marouf’s farm (Area 7).
wine they loved so much. And what is to happen Buttercup. A mean-spirited taskmaster, this
when the vineyard runs dry? gorgeous sprite torments Brewmaster Redderfeld
beneath the winery (Area 4), forcing him to
continue making enchanted summer wine so
Geography that Prince Ildwych’s party can continue forever.
Summerwine Creek is nestled in the sheltering Buttercup, like her prince, believes that this party
boughs of a deciduous forest, though its farms and is for the humans’ benefit, she just doesn’t care if
vineyards extend beyond the forest by several miles. “fat, ugly old folk” suffer, as long as young, pretty
A wide creek cuts through the town, originating ones are happy.
from somewhere deep in the woods. The village Vintner Redderfeld. Before the fey came, this
appears to be in a perpetual state of early autumn, human commoner was a husky man nearing
as its trees’ broad leaves create a tapestry of brilliant middle age. Reddenfeld was brought up as a vintner,
gold, amber, and crimson. making the town’s sweet summer wine since he
was a boy. Now, the brewmaster is chained up in
the cellar of the winery, forced to keep making
Significant NPCs enchanted wine for Ildwych’s party. He is not under
Summerwine Creek is home to about 250 people, the fey spell, but is nonetheless their slave.
mostly human, though most of the population Honeysuckle. This cheerful, plump pixie is
lives outside the village itself, tending to farms, particularly fond of bees, and was overjoyed to
vineyards, or lumber camps, and only come to the learn that there was an apiary in Summerwine
village center on market or festival days. Creek—she just wasn’t prepared to run it. The
beekeepers haven’t returned to tend to their hives
since the endless party began, and the bees are
Open Game Content | The game rule information in dying in droves. Though frantically trying to tend
this book is designated Open Game Content. All other material to the needs of the bees, she’s just one small fairy.
in this book, including maps and illustrations (including any Old Sir Braunritter. An old ex-knight who
illustrations in the public domain), in-character and out-of- retired to Summerwine Creek to live out his winter
character narrative and descriptive text, character and place years in peace. Braunritter is the white-whiskered
names, trade dress, “EN Publishing,” “EN World,” “EN5ider,” grandfather of the young songster Grenwald and
EN Publishing product and article titles, and Summerwine’s chief beekeeper. He is far from
EN EN World and EN Publishing logos, are designated frail, but his old bones are not up to the unending
Publishing ™
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World EN5IDER | The Hamlet
Over the Next Hill II of
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Varseldorf Creek
pleasure in throwing rotten food at Gwyn while a lively, drunken tarantella within the square. To the
the elf languishes in the pillory, awaiting Ildwych’s north is a wooden stage bearing performers on fifes,
judgment. They have been trapped inside the drums, and lyres. Dozens more revelers guzzle wine,
stockade since just after midsummer; their face eat honey cakes, and make merry around the danc-
has grown gaunt, and their short, silver hair has ers. Among the humans are other folk, stout, furry
lost its luster. Gwyn has not been able to properly creatures with the upper bodies of men and the legs
rest since the party began—they have 3 levels of and hooves of goats.
exhaustion and have only one 1st-level spell slot
remaining. The village square is center of the party, where
about 150 commoners cyclically dance, collapse of
exhaustion, crawl to the wine tables encircling the
Significant Areas town square, drink heavily, and return to dancing.
Since the party began, nearly three dozen humans
1. Main Road and Town Gate have died—of exhaustion, alcohol poisoning, or
trampling.
The main gate of the city is a beautifully-carved cedar Satyrs. The 12 satyrs mingling with the humans
arch bearing the town’s name, but the arch is cracked are Prince Ildwych’s enforcers. They ensure that no
and dozens of boots, tied together by their straps, one stops drinking the wine long enough to break
have been slung over the top. An unmanned cart the enchantment (about 3 hours), new arrivals
bearing two casks of wine has been crashed into the drink up, and to keep any humans from dying. They
arch. Just beyond is a town square filled with people aren’t very good at their last duty, but are excellent
and bursting with jovial music. at forcing their will on the villagers.
Villagers. All the villagers are deeply under the
The road to Summerwine Creek is a well-worn dirt wine’s mollifying spell. Even if one is threatened
path wide enough for two ox-drawn carts side by or violence breaks out, they blithely continue the
side. It is about 50 miles from the nearest city, but reveling. If spoken to, they sedately obey orders,
a DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals that it as if affected by the suggestion spell, but adamantly
usually bustles with trade, selling produce and its refuse to stop having fun.
famous summer wine to city folk. Oddly, no traders Old Sir Braunritter. The old knight (see
are passing through today. Significant NPCs) is exhausted, but can’t seem to
stop dancing no matter how hard he tries. If he
2. Open Field is not helped, he must make a DC 10 Constitution
The open fields between farms and vineyards are saving throw each hour or drop to 0 hit points and
home to many grazing farm animals, with few start dying. Returning his armor to him (from Area
fences to contain them. For the past several weeks, 6) invokes such powerful memories of past heroism
these fields have also been home to the dead and that he breaks free from Ildwych’s magic.
the dead drunk. Small fey creatures may also Grenwald the Songster. This young bard is
wander these plains while the party is in progress. performing with several humans and satyrs on the
village stage. He’s been playing almost non-stop for
3. Fairy Ring Square weeks, stopping only when the satyrs pull him aside
for healing when his voice disappears or his fingers
A canopy of orange-red leaves covers the town square, begin to bleed. His grandfather Braunritter knows
fluttering in the wind like flickering flames. Strung a lullaby he used to sing when Grenwald was a
from bough to bough are strings of colorful fairy child; if Braunritter is freed from the enchantment,
lights, illuminating nearly six dozen villagers dancing he can help Grenwald as well.
EN World
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Over the Next Hill II of
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Varseldorf Creek
drunk (she is among the revelers in Area 3), her
unchecked magic has caused the plants to grow
out of control. Huge vines have torn up the fields
and two dozen shambling mounds and countless
awakened shrubs made of corn stalks are ravaging
the surrounding farms.
Plot Seed. The sprite Barleybloom has been
ordered by Ildwych to keep Nahla’s untamed
magic in check by slaying the shambling mounds
and awakened shrubs running amok. Barleybloom
demands that the owner of the farm be brought
to her so that the human can return to her
usual activity, releasing her from this miserable
occupation.
City of
Hidden
Ways
O
ver the Next Hill is a
multi-author series
Overview
Near the edge of the sea, nestled
below a forbidding mountain range,
writing GM Lent lies a settlement of archaic and unusual edifices.
color art Xanditz The village is called Glavas Roh, and its ancient
maps Michael McCarthy buildings stumble upon each other as though
editing James J. Haeck scrambling to reach the massive, vaguely funnel-
layout Eric Life-Putnam shaped structure—known colloquially as the
Tölcsér—that thrusts upwards from its center.
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The Tölcsér looms over the town, a three hundred- the unsettling thrust of the Tölcsér all the more.
foot-tall monolith of smooth, dark obsidian. Its Scholars occasionally find their way to the City of
walls are warm to the touch and the air around is Hidden Ways, mostly drawn by fractured rumors
thick with acrid fumes. of the mysterious monolith at its center, but most
Styled “The City of Hidden Ways” despite its complain of nightmares and few stay longer than is
modest size, Glavas Roh’s sheltered location, far necessary to complete their pressing studies. Why
from civilization, makes it an ideal retreat for any these scholars are allowed to find their way through
miscreants seeking to evade the law … if they can the wilderness to Glavas Roh and not others
find their way there. Its oddities are also a beacon remains a mystery. Alongside these academics is a
for those interested in the occult, but few outside population who largely want to be left alone, along
the village itself seem able to provide reliable with a small group of residents who seek to take
instruction on how to reach it. benefit from the visitors—landlords, innkeepers,
The village is far older than even the wisest sages and providers of similar services.
realize, and the purpose of the bizarre building in
its center is a mystery to all but a select few. Those
who know the truth are happy to remain incognito Significant NPCs
among the commoners, visitors, and scholars.
Anatu Allatu
One of the earliest visiting researchers, Anatu
Geography and Populace Allatu has over the years become the de facto
Glavas Roh is located on an island formed by the leader of the town. Glavas Roh’s self-styled Prefect,
bifurcation of the massive Allapot River into two Allatu was initially drawn to the village by a desire
channels heading to the sea. Those rivers, the to understand the Tölcsér. That structure remains
Idegen and the Furcsa, begin where the Allapot the focus of her fascination, though she has also
pours off the mountains and forms an enormous come to believe that the name Glavas Roh comes
pool at the foot of a great limestone formation. from a proto-language of Abyssal and Infernal. The
The Idegen flows north and provides a short implications of the name’s origin have prompted her
if tricky route from the sea, though the town’s to begin investigating histories of the lower planes.
remote location offsets the economic benefits of When her original research was not resolved
its proximity to the ocean; the Furcsa meanders as quickly as she’d planned, Allatu settled in for
westward into marshlands and jungles. Atop the the long term. Noticing that the village lacked
limestone skulks the village, brooding beneath the a governing body and an effective system of
black Tölcsér. operations, she began to organize the residents into
The Allapot cascades over menacing mountains functioning guild-like groups called Circles; the
that rise as sheer faces into the sky. Bereft even of Circles now operate as a federation of independent
crags and breaks, the Meredek cliffs rise vertically causes and elect representatives to speak for them
from the ground for over 1,000 feet before leveling in monthly council meetings. Of these groups, the
off. The mountain range has a great impact on the Circle of Farmers and the Circle of Defense are
climate of Glavas Roh, protecting the village and particularly powerful.
its surroundings from the winter’s wrath. The area Allatu has been said to dabble in black magic,
immediately outside the village is mostly level, and rumors persist that she trafficked with demons
allowing a steady breeze from the nearby ocean and other evil powers. Well respected but not
to dissipate any humidity that might otherwise particularly liked, Allatu lives in one of the houses
develop, but the flatness of the land accentuates that abuts the Tölcsér and spends most of her time
cloistered within her study.
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authority puts him at odds with Anatu Allatu, who opens into a hallway of the same dimensions and
commands true social power within the town. thrusts 20 feet toward the center of the structure
before coming to a large chamber. This central
chamber is circular, roughly 30 feet in diameter,
Significant Areas and has a ceiling that rises to a dome 20 feet high
at its peak.
Allapot Falls A well-disguised secret door located about
Cascading down in a 1,000 foot waterfall out of halfway down the tunnel, requiring a DC 25
the Meredek Mountains, the Allapot drops into Wisdom (Perception) check to locate, opens to a
an abyssal basin, then splits into the Idegen and stairway which allows access to the prison above.
Furcsa rivers. The actual depth of the pool is The secret door is hidden on the other side as well,
unknown, though its surface lies some 20 feet and opening it from the stairway requires a check
below the island’s grade. Local legends tell that of the same DC.
the basin was formed eons ago when a colossal Ubar Sahu and his followers use the central
fishlike beast called an afanc swam over the Allapot chamber to perform foul rituals which summon
Falls, plummeted to the rock below, and was and bind fiends in the upper portion of the
knocked senseless when the limestone sundered. structure. Once bound and imprisoned, the group
Some swear the creature now sleeps deep below can force the captured being to grant them boons
the surface, and its nightmares are to blame for such as a bountiful harvest, luck, or to bring harm
maelstroms in the lagoon. to undesirables. Once it has fulfilled these demands,
the fiend is released.
Idegen River One of the imprisoned creatures has claimed to
The Idegen, shorter and slightly wider than the be a demon lord; consequently, Sahu understands
Furcsa, would be the preferred route to Glavas Roh the structure’s potential summoning power to be
if not for two factors: the river is both shallow and considerable.
swift, its current pushing hard toward the ocean. The strange blocks that form the Tölcsér keep the
These elements make it challenging both for both interior at a comfortable temperature, if a little on
deepwater craft and barges to navigate. the warm side. The acrid smell, faint on the outside,
is much more prominent in the interior.
Furcsa River
Deeper, narrower, and slower-flowing than the Common Buildings
Idegen, the Furcsa provides a leisurely passage The vast majority of Glavas Roh’s structures are
through the wetlands to the west. Traders along made of mud brick and clustered together, sharing
this route bring rice, fruits, hardwoods, and other walls and roofs. The village has no proper streets,
necessities to help sustain the island, but also and all of the common buildings are accessed by
attract the attention of savage marsh and jungle ladders poking through openings in their roofs. The
elves. interiors of the buildings are coated in plaster and
generally kept meticulously clean by the residents.
The Tölcsér While most consist of only a chamber or two, some
Centerpiece and focal point of Glavas Roh, the have as many as three or four rooms—though the
funnel-like structure known as the Tölcsér rises only doors inside are created by hung blankets and
from a base 60 feet in diameter, narrowing to a textiles. The buildings have no windows, and the
10 foot wide domed cylinder at the top. The only top hatchway is their sole source of ventilation and
opening in the exterior is at the ground level—an exterior light.
archway fifteen feet tall and ten feet wide, which
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City of Hidden Ways | EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
Over the Next Hill
GAZEBO BAY
O
ver the Next Hill is a multi- Overview
author series that focuses on small Characters who visit Gazebo Bay find themselves
settlements you can drop into a campaign on a tropical island resort with exotic food, warm
with minimal preparation. Each article in the beaches, interesting vacationers, and the most
series presents several detailed NPCs, points hospitable staff for 500 leagues! Gazebo Bay is a
of interest, and loose plot hooks that can be small tourism town that will provide characters
developed during play. This installment of the the opportunity to rub shoulders with important
series details Gazebo Bay, a luxurious resort on a people, explore exotic locales, and maybe even
picturesque tropical island. catch up on some much needed downtime!
writing GM Lent
color art Xanditz
maps Michael McCarthy
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam
EN World
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| Gazebo Bay
Geography Gazebo Bay Rates
The resort town of Gazebo Bay is located on a small Gazebo, per night (includes meals for 2) 10 gp
tropical island separated from any neighbors by Meals for additional guests, per day 2 gp
miles of ocean. The unnamed island is crescent Reef Tour, per person 1 gp
shaped, wrapping around a shallow bay protected Kraken’s Reach Tour, per person 5 gp
by a natural reef. Strung along the long, sandy Fishing Trip, per person 1 gp
southern arm of the island are a dozen private
gazebos that are rented by patrons. North of the Erni “Big E” Affleby
resort is a rocky spire called Kraken’s Reach from Big E is Gazebo Bay’s host. He is a rotund halfling
which the picturesque Leviathan Falls cascades who loves people. Unless he is welcoming new
400 feet directly into the ocean opposite the bay. guests at Arrival Point, Big E is usually hanging
Hidden in the forest at the base of the spire are the around the Grand Gazebo. Somehow, he always
bungalows inhabited by the resort staff. The island knows exactly when new guests are coming, and
is covered in dozens of fruit-bearing trees, home never misses a group.
to brightly colored songbirds native to the island, Big E and his wife, Nebi, are the senior staff
a troupe of crystalclaw monkeys, and a flock of members of Gazebo Bay and run the day-to-day
macaws. operations of the resort.
Most of the staff are humans and halflings come
from a wilder island that is a 6-hour canoe trip Nebanine “Nebi” Affleby
to the north. Otherwise, the nearest inhabited Nebi runs the bar at the Grand Gazebo. She is
landmass is about 400 miles away. a friendly halfling, but is just as happy to let her
husband talk to guests while she busies herself
behind the bar. Nebi is the only halfling bartender,
Gazebo Hill Residents and nimbly climbs on top of the bar to interact with
Gazebo bay is the semi-permanent residence guests and serve drinks.
of its staff and their families, about 50 people Nebi is currently confounded because the bar’s
total. Unless otherwise noted, staff members are supply of Golden Mirage Rum, the resort’s signature
commoners. spirit, keeps going missing. Despite many searches
and questionings, she and Big E cannot figure out
Chef Boscoe who the thief is.
Boscoe is the head chef of Gazebo Bay. He plans
and prepares exquisite meals for the resort. After Wastler
each dinner, Boscoe engages in the dancing and Wastler is a half-elf scout who serves as Gazebo
then tries to find guests willing to play cards and Bay’s tour guide. Before the resort existed, Wastler
gamble with him. was a shipwrecked pirate who washed ashore
Boscoe was once the attendant of the leader of on the island. He lived on the island for decades,
a major thieves’ guild. He came to the island to befriending the dryads and treants that live on the
escape the enemies of his former master, Malcom island. When Malcom Bottledon came to the island
Bottledon. to open a resort, Wastler decided to stay.
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small tiki bar so that guests don’t need to walk back dismay of the staff and other guests. Unfortunately,
to the Grand Gazebo for refreshments. the prince is a friend of Malcom Bottledon, and
none of the staff dare kick him out.
3. The Grand Gazebo The Prince will only leave Gazebo Bay if he is
This is the “main house” of the resort. It is a huge, convinced that the island and its guests are beneath
two-story, open air building. The main floor has his station. A DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check will
tables and a 24-hour bar. A fruit and delicacy laden allow a character to reach this conclusion.
buffet is present from dawn till mid-afternoon, and
after dusk a 5-course meal is served every night. 5b. The Prince’s Staff
The second story has hammocks strung all day Prince Cabernacle has a bungalow to himself,
long, but after dinner they are taken down and the but he has also brought his closest servants with
space is converted into a dance floor. Most staff him. Although he claims this a treat for them, the
members are present and participate in the dance. servants find themselves publicly berated if they
Almost all the staff are expert dancers and happily are needed by their master and are unavailable.
mingle with guests. Thus, these 5 servants have spent the last month
following their lord around, nervously trying
4. The Kitchen to have fun while remaining within earshot of
A stone pathway leads from the Grand Gazebo to Cabernacle at all times.
the kitchen. Any guests that find themselves in The servants are Barton, Fredik, Bethany, Dawe,
the kitchen are immediately tasked with sampling and Jacki. All five are commoners.
whatever pastries are being prepared for dinner. In
addition, Chef Boscoe has quite a sweet tooth, and 5c. Gurni Brassbreath
he is happy to share his stash of hard candies with Gurni Brassbreath, a dwarf guard, recently forged
visitors. a suit of armor for his clan chief. The armor was
such a masterpiece that the chief granted Gurni
5. Gazebos a ten-day vacation, paid from the clan treasury.
Each gazebo is a large, open air structure with an Gurni loves his work, but he is thrilled to have a
open porch facing the bay and a sleeping area with vacation. He is earnestly making the best of it: he
white silk curtains that can be let down for privacy. wakes up early each morning to swim, partakes in
In the sleeping area are several plush sleeping mats, an enormous breakfast, then takes a long nap under
piles of pillows, and plenty of fluffy towels. A small his bright yellow parasol. Gurni attends the dance
bird attends each gazebo and will carry written each night, and will happily dance with anyone.
messages back to the Grand Gazebo. Behind each He’s not very good, but he’s incredibly enthusiastic,
gazebo is a spring-fed shower enclosed by flowering and the staff love him.
hedges.
5d. The Mottletons
5a. Prince Cabernacle Harvy and Meesa have been saving pennies for
Prince Cabernacle (a noble) has been staying at months to visit Gazebo Bay. They brought their
Gazebo Bay for over a month. Self-indulgent and children, Dobe, Perti, and Bud. Harvy is a scribe
spoiled rotten, he treats the staff poorly and is only and Meesa works at a bakery. All the Mottletons
kind to other guests as long as they are entertaining are commoners.
or useful. In particular, Prince Cabernacle earned The Mottleton parents are distraught by the
the ire of Yldris, who can barely tolerate his cloying attitude of their eldest, Dobe, who has been sulky
dances. The Prince spends most of his days on about visiting the beach each day. Dobe is smitten
the beach, but joins the dance each night, to the with the young serving lass Wistlewaif. He has
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12. The Reef home to some of the most dazzling fish and sea
The reef blocks the surf, keeping the waters of creatures in the world. Guests exploring the reef
Gazebo Bay calm and crystal clear. For a fee of 1 gp who succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception)
per person, Wastler will paddle a group of guests check might find an oyster containing a pearl
out to the reef and provide each with a potion that, worth 100 gp.
four 1 hour, gives the drinker a swim speed of 50 Although sharks are often seen on the far side of
feet and the ability to see underwater. The reef is the reef, they rarely cross the reef into the bay.
e
Roak
CreEK
O ver the Next Hill is a
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Overview While the land is fertile, and many of the houses
Not far from the bustle of civilization, nestled in a have small gardens on the property, most of the
picturesque clearing in a thick wood, is the town of town’s food is imported from local villages or cities.
Roak Creek. Created decades ago by the eccentric Anyone who dips a toe into the creek will realize
Lord Childe, Roak Creek is an artist community for it is too fast to safely swim in for all but the best
those who wish to pursue their creative endeavors swimmers, and the ice is thin in the winter.
amongst like-minded individuals, though anyone
who has an appreciation for the arts is welcome.
Located by the creek of the same name, this town Significant NPCs
boasts an amphitheater, an inviting inn, and a
library featuring works from some of the greatest Ril Sonagio
artists and writers in the land. (male half-elf bard)
What no one knows is that Lord Childe made an This middle-aged half-elf has sharp features, a
enemy of the devious night hag, Auntie Mudwillow. well-trimmed goatee, and multiple gold hoops
He stole her heartstone, the black gem that allows in his ears. Ril has served as the town’s Master
her to become ethereal. While she eventually killed of Ceremonies—essentially the town mayor—for
him, he never divulged where he hid her heartstone, nearly two decades. He settled in Roak Creek after
and she has searched for it ever since. a youth filled with adventure, and seeks out visiting
adventurers to swap stories with.
His excitement and passion for the arts is
Geography contagious, and he’s turned more than one tone-
Roak Creek’s temperate climate brings more pleasant deaf fighter or barbarian into a novice bard. He
days than bad, even during the winter. The town is knows everyone in the town by name, and is a
located in a clearing of oaks and maples alongside very shrewd gambler. More than one group of
the creek after which it is named. Travelers will adventurers has left Roak Creek with light pockets
hear Roak Creek well before they lay eyes on it as after playing a few games of chance with Ril.
the wind carries the sounds of musical instruments
or a cheering audience to anyone approaching. Zerial
Wildlife avoids the noisy community, though the (female high elf noble)
birds seem to take the musical cacophony as more Zerial moved to Roak Creek at the request of the
of a challenge than anything else. previous head librarian upon his deathbed. They
were old friends, though Zerial will not mention
how they knew one another, only that she owed
him a debt and considers curating his collection
her fulfillment of that. It’s difficult to tell how old
she is as her elven features hide any signs of age.
She carries herself with dignity and reserve. If you
need to find a buyer for a manuscript of ancient
draconic poetry, or want to study the artistic
stylings of the fey, Zerial can help you. But those
who peruse her collection merely to find hidden
treasures rather than appreciate its artistic merits
are promptly shown the exit. She rarely leaves the
library, and her few trips out into town are the
subject of gossip for the rest of the week.
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4. Brushpot Resident Houses
These four houses located around
town are owned by Anderst
Brushpot. Each has a small garden
with vegetables and herbs, as
well as a set of outdoor tables and
chairs where the residents of each
house can often be found enjoying
the weather or talking about a
recent performance. For those
who do not want to be kept up all
night by the residents practicing
music or reciting soliloquys, it is
recommended they stay at the
Crimson Lyre.
5. Derwyn’s Workshop
The workshop is a plain, single-
story building with a bedroom
and small kitchen in the back. On
display are expertly crafted musical
instruments for sale. While not
enchanted, Derwyn’s instruments
are of superior quality. If a creature
using it to make a Charisma
(Performance) check is proficient
in the Performance skill, it adds its
songs while the walls are covered with canvases. proficiency bonus to the check twice. Derwyn can
The most valuable items are kept locked away on be found working on his next instrument under the
the third floor, to which Zerial has the only key. shade of a tall oak tree, his raven on his shoulder.
Tales of hidden treasures and lost empires, the
origins of ancient villains and returning evil, can 6. Ril Sonagio’s Home
all be found here. This large, two-story building traditionally belongs
to the Master of Ceremonies and functions both as
3. Crimson Lyre his home and the town hall. A balcony encircles
Run by Holly and Terza Petrar, this two-story the second floor, overlooking the green where a
building is one of the largest in Roak Creek. They statue of the town’s founder stands. Much of the
have enough beds for twenty people, an expansive first floor is a large ballroom. It’s extravagantly
bar, and hearty meals at fair prices. Attached to decorated, lit by three chandeliers and a giant
the inn and accessible from its common room is fireplace. The wood paneling is carved with scenes
a small general store. They stock common goods from famous heroic tales, though hidden amongst
such as rations or rope, but they also have a full them Lord Childe recorded his conflict with Auntie
selection of artisan tools kits. Behind the inn is a Mudwillow and clues that point to where he hid her
stable for boarding horses and other animals. heartstone.
EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER The
Over| the Hamlet
Next ofII
Hill Varseldorf
| Roak Creek
Over the Next Hill
STONEWATCH
LIGHTHOUSE
O ver the Next Hill is a
multi-author series
Adventure Hook
Geography Ser Kaplan accepted Daevin into Stonewatch a few
Stonewatch rises up from a rocky bluff at the mouth months ago, just before the mists appeared. The
of Sova Valley, holding its flame aloft as a warning scholar presented a formal Writ of Appointment
to all who see it. With each passing day, the mist authorizing his stay the lighthouse. Ser Kaplan
around its base grows thicker and more oppressive. firmly believes Daevin’s orders to be authentic, but
The aging lighthouse is the only structure tall if the Writ of Appointment could be proven false,
enough to still reach above the rising mist and its it would expose the scholar as both a fraud and
flames continue to shine clearly for miles in any infiltrator.
direction.
Groundskeeper Oggon
This hobbled half-orc commoner is the
Significant NPCs hardworking groundskeeper for Stonewatch. He
lost his left foot at a young age, but has adapted to
Adiss Losch (a.k.a. Daevin) the loss and moves quite confidently with a false
Adiss Losch is a plump and cheerful human mage boot and slight limp.
whose appearance belies his obsession with Although Oggon typically performs tasks around
necromancy. Losch takes great pains to conceal his the lighthouse, he now spends most of his time
work and his allegiances. His congenial demeanor worriedly watching the fog.
has been carefully rehearsed to deflect unwanted
scrutiny. Adventure Hook
Dedicated to the renewal of his sect, the Herex As the mists continue to thicken, Oggon grows
Eye, Losch has come to Stonewatch in the guise increasingly alarmed. He rambles about
of a scholar named Daevin and plays the part experiencing strange events while performing
enthusiastically. Despite “Daevin’s” mild demeanor, his nighttime duties in the lighthouse, including
Losch is committed to his plan with deadly earnest. hearing strange sounds echoing up the stairwell
and feeling an unnatural coldness around the
lighthouse’s pyre.
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7
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Twice each day, at midday and midnight, Daevin Excerpt: Journal of the First Steward
brings up a load of firewood, stacks it next to “Our detachment pursued the Herex Eye necromancers
the furnace, and then quickly applies corrupting relentlessly, hunting them to the very edge of the
ooze to the entire pile. Characters may notice distant Sova Valley before we were finally able to
this tampering with a successful DC 13 Wisdom corner the death cultists against the rocky coastline.
(Perception) check, with a subsequent DC 15 Despite our victory, the battle was only narrowly won,
Intelligence (Arcana) check also revealing that the and we paid a high price.
ooze has been created from defiled corpses. “There, upon the still-bloody field of our victory,
our knights built the great lighthouse. We stacked
8. Lighthouse Basement stone upon bloody stone, consecrating Stonewatch
(Living Light Memorial) as a memorial to the sacred flame before sealing it
The staircase narrows as it descends, before finally with powerful wards against the return of the death
ending in this darkened, circular room. Faint cultists.
vestiges of light from above are the only illumination “Our order is now bound to guard Stonewatch,
here, barely revealing the vague outline of the room. maintaining an uninterrupted vigil over its sacred
At one point, the spiral staircase continued further flame through a succession of sentinels, each
downward, but passage has since been blocked replacing the one before at the time of their death.
with a seal of heavy, inscribed stones. A successful The integrity of this succession is of the utmost
DC 15 Intelligence (Religion) check reveals the importance. I fear that if the flames should ever fade,
markings to be religious symbols typically used to the spirits of the Herex Eye will slip back into this
denote sealed burial sites. world once more.”
If the room is illuminated, it becomes obvious that — From the firsthand account of Ser Jorom,
this chamber is a memorial, with several stone Knight of the Living Light, and the First Steward
busts and suits of armor displayed in alcoves along
the walls. One of the alcoves contains an animated
shield, an heirloom of the order, but Ser Kaplan 9. Lighthouse Sub-Basement
will only share the activation word with someone (Burial Chamber)
who has proven their devotion. If the memorial The tunnel opens up into an old and dusty tomb.
or sealed staircase are disturbed in any way, five Although larger than the rooms above, this
of the memorial’s old suits of armor stir to life as chamber is full of stone burial coverings—many of
animated armor and attempt to stop transgressors. which have been clearly tampered with.
This chamber serves as the final resting place for
Adventure Hook the knights who fell in battle against the Herex
Perceptive players will notice scratch marks near Eye. Daevin spends each night here, performing
the back of one of the alcoves. If the armor in it necromantic rituals on the crumbling bones of the
is moved aside, a loose stone can be jostled loose fallen knights to create a noxious ooze capable of
from the back wall, concealing a crude tunnel that corrupting the Lighthouse’s sacred flame. Three
Daevin dug down into the Crypt Memorial (area 9) ghasts and five ghouls under his control now guard
below. the area against any intruders.
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